Washington, D.C., August 3, 2005 – U.S. and Philippine officials last week concluded meetings under the United States-Philippines Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), during which they discussed the full range of bilateral issues and coordinated on the WTO Doha Development Agenda negotiations.  The meeting was led by Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and Pacific Affairs Barbara Weisel and Thomas Aquino, Undersecretary for the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry. 

The United States welcomed the Philippines’ announcement that it would lift its ban on the importation of U.S. beef that had been imposed in response to prior concerns related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).  Agriculture Secretary Domingo F. Panganiban signed a memorandum order lifting the precautionary measures imposed in June 2005 on the importation of live cattle, beef and related products from the United States.  The United States has been working with the Philippines to provide it the information and certification language it needed to lift the ban on beef imports.  The Philippines determined that U.S. control measures assure the safety of U.S. beef. 

The Philippines also announced that it would not subject in-quota imports of poultry to safeguard duties.  This move ensures continued U.S. access to the Philippine poultry market, the second largest in Southeast Asia.

The two sides reviewed key bilateral economic issues, including a joint action plan to improve intellectual property protection in the Philippines.  The Philippines committed to continuing to intensify its efforts to strengthen its intellectual property enforcement and prosecution of criminal cases against suspected intellectual property pirates.  The two sides also discussed market access issues related to agricultural products, telecommunications, and autos.  In addition, they exchanged views on specific steps that the Philippines could take to improve its investment climate and trade capacity building projects that could help further build our trade relationship.

The United States and the Philippines also coordinated on regional issues and on key issues related to the WTO Doha Development Agenda negotiations.  The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to an ambitious result in the Doha round. 

The Philippines is currently the United States’ 26^th largest goods trading partner with $16.2 billion in total two-way goods trade during 2004. The Philippines is party to the ten-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which collectively is the fourth largest export market of the United States.  With continued strong economic growth anticipated in ASEAN countries and a regional population of about 500 million, the United States anticipates significant trade and investment opportunities for U.S. companies in this region.  The U.S. - Philippines Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) was signed in 1989.